Romania - more than a glance Medieval Transylvania & Painted Bucovina/Moldova (land only services for 2007) “Medieval Transylvania” is about the strong medieval fortresses built starting with 13th century, to protect the locals during the invasions; “Painted Bucovina” is about the world wide known “painted monasteries of Bucovina / Moldova” with inside and outside frescoes that are lasting from 16th century. There are not enough words to describe the beauty and mystery of the places that you will visit, and more that this, we offer the “Romanian experience” while meeting locals and when you will have the chance to speak with them, to find out about their stories. If not yet decided, here is another argument: Dracula – legend or mystery?

Starting from: 681Euro/person for minim 6 participants - for only 2 participants is 1.295Euro/pers What's included ? UPGRADE your trip Detailed itinerary Trip dossier(*.pdf)~250k 9 days/8 nights hotels & guesthouses Grade Easy - Moderate Recommended for anyone in good health and reasonably fit. Highlights: center located hotels or guesthouses to be able to stroll evenings or mornings medieval Transylvania medieval town of Brasov / Kronstadt with Black Church Dracula's Castle (Bran) and the story vs. myth Pearl of Carpathians - Sinaia - The Royal Summer Residence - Peles Palace fortified churches of Transylvania - UNESCO sites Sighisoara - best preserved citadel and birthplace of Vlad Dracula’s Birthplace painted monasteries of Bucovina Bucharest - Romanian capital – “Little Paris” or “Paris of the East” Sibiu – The Cultural Capital of Europe for 2007 horse and cart ride – a traditional way of transportation Romanian wine tasting traditional welcoming in one of the villages traditional folk and dance show time to meet and speak with the locals; get a real feeling of the local's life ... and much more

Detailed itinerary for the Romanian trip (land only)

Day 1: Arriving & welcoming dinner
Pick up from Bucharest - Otopeni Airport and transfer to Sinaia. At the welcoming dinner, the guide will present a briefing of the whole trip, together with a short introduction of Romania.
Accommodation: 3 or 4**** hotel in Sinaia;
Distance by bus: 100 km

Day 2: The Royal Touch & Bran Castle - Dracula
Morning visit to the famous “Peles Palace” – The Royal Summer Residence in Sinaia – also called the Pearle of The Carpathians. After the visit, we continue to Transylvania, visiting Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle. Lunch in a beautiful rustic place reached after a traditional horse and cart ride. In the afternoon is time to explore the medieval fortress of Rasnov and the town of Brasov.
Accommodation: 2**, 3*** or 4**** hotel in Brasov or Poiana Brasov mountain resort.
Distance by bus: 90 km

Day 3: Into the Heart of Transylvania
It is time to explore the medieval town of Brasov (Kronstadt in German) with it’s magnificent Black Church, the largest gothic church in Eastern Europe. A history and culture lesson will take place at the Museum of First Romanian School where there are kept schoolbooks from 11th century. Before starting north, we can visit the fortified church in Prejmer or Harman, a settlement from the time of the Teutonic Nights in 12th century. Next day we will be in Moldova after we have passed the Carpathian Mountains.
Accommodation: guesthouse or 3*** hotel in Miercurea Ciuc or Bacau Region;
Distance by bus: 140 km

Day 4: East to Moldova
Passing the Carpathians over the Bicaz Gorge with hundreds of meters high cliffs on both sides, it is time to start exploring the religious life of the Romanians. The following days we will visit some of the most beautiful churches and monasteries, some with magnificent outside frescoes dating from 16th century. We will also explore the rural life, the icon painting and carpets/rugs workshops in monasteries. Stops at Agapia and Varatec nunneries than we will continue further north to Bucovina. Optional visit to Probota monastery.
Accommodation: guesthouse or 3*** hotel in Gura Humorului
Distance by bus: ~230 km

Day 5: Bucovina – the Outside Frescoes
It will be a delightful day to visit the most beautiful Orthodox churches/monasteries of Bucovina with inside and outside frescoes lasting from the 16th century. We will admire the blue color of Voronet monastery, the red, green and yellow of the Sucevita, Moldovita, Humor and Arbore. An Easter egg painting demonstration will fulfill our day and we can also try our painting skills.
Accommodation: 3*** hotel in Piatra Fantanele at Hotel Castel Dracula;
Distance by bus: 200 km

Day 6: Following Jonathan Harker and Dracula
Descending the Borgo Pass, the same journey that Jonathan Harker took on his way to Dracula’s Land, we will reach the Transylvanian plateau and we will continue south to Sighisoara – the best preserved medieval town where people are still living in. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula or Tepes. Afternoon at leisure or optional you can take part at some traditional activities like: home baking of bread, etc.
Accommodation: 3*** or 4**** hotel in Sighisoara
Distance by bus: 100 km

Day 7: Sighisoara – birthplace of Dracula
Leisure morning in Sighisoara. Visit to the famous Clock Tower, the former Council tower, and find out how the guilds were organized to defend their fortress. Climb the covered stairs and fell the cobbled and river stone street bedding in the center square. Eat Dracula’s tomato soup for lunch in the Vlad Dracula’s house. Optional: for larger groups we organize a real witch trial on the streets of the old town. Afternoon we will visit the former Lutheran Bishop seat for 300 years in Biertan or experience a wine tasting (optional) afternoon at Jidvei Winery, the most appreciated winery in Transylvania, only for white wines.
Accommodation: guesthouse or 3*** hotel in Medias or Sibiu
Distance by bus: ~100 km

Day 8: SIBIU – The European Capital of Culture – 2007
Morning starts with a city tour of the Medieval Sibiu (Hermannstadt in German), which is designated to be the European Capital of Culture for 2007. From the Small Sqare step over the Liar’s Bridge to reach the Evanghelic Cathedral. Time to stroll on the streets or to visit the Brukenthal Museum, a gallery opened about 200 years ago with the private art collection of the governor of Transylvania. Afternoon, we return to Bucharest for the Romanian capital city. Optional: stop on the way to visit the fortresses of Vlad Dracula at Poienari/Arefu. The fortress is located in the heart of Carpathian Mountains and the only way up is climbing the 1500 steps through the unspoiled forest.
Accommodation: 3***, 4 or 5***** hotel in Bucharest
Distance by bus: ~300 km

Day 9: Bucharest – the capital city
Start the day with a comprehensive city tour of Bucharest, first time mentioned in written documents on the time of Vlad The Impaler, in 1452. The tour will include the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, where you will find out about the 1989 historical turnover of the communism dictators, the Opera, the Military Academy and the Patriarch Church. If time permitting also with a inside visit to the Palace of Parliament or House of The People, the second largest administrative building in the world after Pentagon. Optional: walking tour in the old Bucharest around Lipscani Street and with a stop at the old Manuc’s Inn and the old Princely Court of Vlad Dracula.
Afternoon transfer for your departure flight or enjoy an extension day in Bucharest for more visits or shopping.
Distance by bus: 30 minutes from the hotel in the city to the airport

Optional trips described in the itinerary will be added only at request for the final price.
For a detailed itinerary and custom offer please ...click to view email
Note: itinerary subject to minor changes, especially on the first and last day depending on flights arriving/departing schedule.

Number of participants: at least 2

Travel dates: Friday - Saturday, April - October

Duration: our standard programme is eight days long, but other durations are available on request.